Thule Society and Nazi Occultism

Record	OBS-0362
Category	Secret Societies/Groups
Status	PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED
Summary	The Thule Society was a German occultist and völkisch group founded in Munich after World War I, named after a mythical northern country. Proponents claim it was deeply involved in Nazi occultism, influencing Nazi ideology with supernatural beliefs and pseudoscience. The society is historically documented as sponsoring the German Workers' Party, which later became the Nazi Party.
Origin	Founded in Munich, Germany, in 1918 by Rudolf von Sebottendorf, originally as a cover-name for the Munich branch of the Germanenorden.
Claimed	The Thule Society was an occultist group that influenced Nazi ideology with supernatural beliefs. Nazi ideology was steeped in occultism and pseudoscience, including theories of Aryan origins from mythical Hyperborea/Thule. The Thule Society's membership included early Nazi leaders such as Rudolf Hess and Alfred Rosenberg.
Evidence / consensus	Historians confirm the Thule Society existed and sponsored the DAP, but there is no evidence Hitler attended. The extent of its occult influence on Nazi ideology is debated; some scholars argue it was significant, while others downplay it.

> OBSERVER NOTE:
The Thule Society is a documented historical group, but its occult influence is often exaggerated in popular culture. The connection to Nazi ideology is real but nuanced.

Sources

Sources are external and provided for verification. Listing does not imply the Observer endorses their claims.